Maid of Honor Duties: What Does the Bride Expect You to Do?

11/07/2019

You MAID it to the top! Your bestie, sister, or cousin just asked you to be the maid of honor at her wedding! Congratulations! You just became the bride’s shoulder to lean on through the whirlwind of wedding-hood.

It’s true — being asked to be a maid of honor is, well, an absolute honor. But with great power comes great responsibility.

Let’s get specific on those responsibilities! Keep reading for an extensive list of maid of honor duties.

Tip: Remember that all weddings are different. Pick and choose from this list to best suit you, the couple, and their big day!

Each bride is different. Some may not have a lot of support from partners, parents, or vendors in making these decisions. She could involve you in some, none, or all of these items, but it’s nice to know what’s on her to-do list so you can offer some support and company along the way.

The Bachelorette Party

If she wants a chill day getting manis and pedis, do that. If she wants a wild night out with endless shots and dancing on tables, go for it.

From the bridal suite to the activities, make sure that the bachelorette party is designed for her. You can’t let the other bridesmaids go rogue and plan a party that suits them more than the bride.

Just be upfront with the schedule and manage financial expectations, so there are no surprises.

The Rehearsal Dinner

Okay, so this is one pre-wedding event you don’t actually have to plan — the happy couple will do that together, often times with the groom's family.

But be ready to step in and help if need be. The bride might task you with something as small as calling the venue to confirm a headcount. If the groom isn’t that involved, she might need you to help her create a short list for them to consider for the perfect location.

On the Big Day

The bachelorette party, bridal shower, and other pre-wedding events are just appetizers for the big day. Think of them as an internship for your real job: that’s when you really have to step up and shine in all your glory.

You’ve helped her grow this day from the seed, now you just have to keep the wheels turnin’.

Here’s how to take charge and make sure everything goes smoothly:

1. Keep her calm.

Brides have a lot to think about, so do what you can to help her relax. Keep the mood light, get the laughter going, and put on a playlist of her faves. Also, make sure to keep that one bridesmaid in-check (you know … the one who’s asked to have her hair re done three times).

2. Bring an emergency kit.

Pack awedding survival kitwith bandages, fashion tape, a sewing needle, thread, and anything else she might need at the last minute. Staying calm and confident comes from being prepared.

3. Keep the other bridesmaids on-task and on-time.

Try to rally the troops to stick to the timeline laid out for before, during, and after the ceremony.

4. Hold the groom’s ring.

It’s your job to hold her partner’s ring while she walks down the aisle, and hand it off to her when they exchange vows.

5. Make sure she looks good.

Keep her dress, train, and veil intact as she walks down the aisle and while she’s saying her vows. A fresh coat of lipstick and lipgloss after the ceremony and just before pictures is key. And of course, a quick check that her teeth are clear!

6. Hold her flowers.

Be prepared to take the bride’s bouquet while she’s saying her vows.

7. Give a speech at the reception.

Put some thought into a nice toast to the couple. Make sure you share a few thoughtful words to show them how much they mean to you. Start preparing a few weeks ahead of time to help ease the butterflies.

8. Have fun!

Don’t forget to eat some food, spend some time on the dance floor, and enjoy yourself! The more relaxed and in the moment you are, the calmer the bride will be. Take time to celebrate together!

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it — being MOH brings lots of responsibility. Every bride needs a right hand to help and, let’s face it, some couples need more than others. Before you accept, make sure you’re up for the challenge.

But remember this:

Just because you have a hand in planning the pre-wedding events doesn’t mean you have to pay for them all.

When it comes to the shower and bachelorette party, the family or entire bridal party should chip in to cover the costs.

And when it comes to buying items for the wedding itself … well that’s on the bride and groom. No one should expect you to pay for the cake just because you’re at the cake tasting!

So buckle up, put on some comfortable running shoes, and get ready to immerse yourself in your sister’s/best friend’s/cousin’s wedding. If it’s someone you truly love, you’ll have enough fun to outweigh any of the short-term stress!

Archives

Make An Appointment

About Bella

Bella Bridesmaids loves a wedding! We have the largest collection of bridesmaid dresses from the world’s leading designers in our Bella Showrooms. With hundreds of dresses to choose from, your personal Bella stylist is ready for anything. We’d love to play a part in helping to create your wedding and make it everything you have dreamed!

When you shop at Bella Bridesmaids, you are supporting small business—each of our showrooms are locally owned, predominantly by female entreprenuers.